Welcome to the Integreat Queensland June Newsletter.
Even though it’s getting colder making many of us that little bit slower as we head into winter, our programs and events at Integreat Queensland are heating up with some fantastic opportunities for our community including our signature multicultural event, the Flourish Festival.
Starting in Biloela on Sunday, June 18, the Flourish Festival is a community-led multicultural arts festival featuring dance, music, fashion, and artistic and visual displays. The Flourish Festival is also being held in Gladstone (July 22), and Emerald (TBA). We hope to see you there.
Integreat Queensland would also like to welcome our new Acting General Manager Charmaine Bennett and new Board member, Alejandra Nunn. Make sure you read their stories in this month’s newsletter.
To our supporters, Integreat Queensland opens opportunities for everyone from everywhere to get involved, feel welcome, learn new things, and contribute to a strong, thriving local community. We would love for you to get involved.
Have a great month.
The Integreat Queensland Team.
It’s time to Flourish in central Queensland.
Integreat Queensland invite you to our Flourish Festival in Biloela on Sunday, June 18.
Beginning at 10am and concluding at 6pm at the Biloela Civic Centre, the Flourish Festival is a community-led multicultural arts festival featuring dance, music, fashion, and artistic and visual displays.
Integreat Queensland Biloela Community Engagement Facilitator Ridhi Gein Gupta said the Flourish Festival is a multicultural community-led event highlighting the different cultures living and working in the region including Australia. 
“The community started planning for the festival in January with many designing and making their own cultural dress and planning for a festive delight of delicious cultural dishes,” Ridhi said.
“This year’s event will feature food from around the world including Samoa and Tonga which will be celebrated with a traditional Hangi. There will also be a kaleidoscope of international dishes including from the Philippines, China, Korea and more.”
Ridhi said the Flourish Festival is designed to celebrate multiculturalism through the lens of art to allow the community to show how they flourish in their region through their own creativity.
“There will be a photo competition highlighting the region and its multiculturalism including traditional performances like the Lakalaka from Tonga and a cultural fashion parade.
“Last year’s event attracted many cultures along with the Australian community. The Flourish Festival cultivates connections by showcasing who we are, where we’ve come from, and what we now share together, which is fundamentally the aim of the event.”
The Flourish Festival in Biloela will be held on Sunday June 18 at the Biloela Civic Centre from 10am to 6pm.
In 2023, the Flourish Festival will be held as three stand-alone events in Biloela (June 18), Gladstone (July 22), and Emerald (TBA).
If you would like to learn more or get involved, phone Integreat Queensland on 07 4900 1617 or email contactus@integreatqld.org.au
The Murugappan family celebrate their first year back in Biloela at the Flourish Festival.
In 2022, Integreat Queensland hosted the Flourish Festival in Biloela with special guests the Murugappan family attending the multicultural festival after only being released from community detention in Perth a few days earlier.
Priya and Nades Murugappan and their daughters Kopika and Tharnicaa, had long been the faces at the center of the country’s asylum seeker policy. But after a community-driven campaign that started when the family were removed from their home in Biloela in 2018, the family were welcomed back to the community officially at the Flourish Festival.
Now a year on, Priya and Nades are working and volunteering in the community and their children are happily attending school.
“Kopika and Tharnicaa have settled in well and are enjoying school,” Priya said. “They are happy.”
Welcomed by the traditional owners of the land, the Gangula people, with a smoking ceremony at the festival, the family celebrated the multicultural event by wearing traditional Sri Lankan dress.
In 2023, the family are planning to be more involved in the popular festival by not only wearing their traditional dress but will also contribute to cultural dance and by celebrating the tastes of Sri Lanka and India, by cooking traditional food.
“We have been welcomed back into the community and we are celebrating by honoring our cultural traditions through dress, dance, and food,” Priya said.
“The girls and I have been busy making our traditional dresses and are they’re looking forward to dancing at the festival.”
Priya’s dream is to bring Sri Lankin food to Australia and Biloela. After partaking in a micro-food business training course facilitated by Integreat Queensland earlier this year, Priya is planning on starting a small mobile food business with her first outing and taste of working a small business at this year’s Flourish Festival.
“I will be cooking my own family food from Sri Lanka and India,” she said. “It is exciting to do this as I have never done it before and I’m looking forward to serving the Biloela community and thanking them for their support.”
The Flourish Festival in Biloela is being held on June 18 from 10am to 6pm at the Biloela Civic Centre.
Picture: Priya and Nades Murugappan and their daughters Kopika and Tharnicaa at last year’s Flourish Festival in Biloela.
Meet a Board member: Alejandra Nunn.
Integreat Queensland would like to welcome Alejandra Nunn to the Integreat Queensland Board.
Originally from Colombia and holding an International Community Specialisation degree, Integreat Queensland believes Alejandra (pictured) brings to the organisation a diverse background of experience that aligns with our mission, vision, and values, and a great understanding of different cultures and communities.
“I know and understand different cultures and communities firsthand which has further equipped me with the skills and knowledge to make a positive impact” Alejandra said.
“Additionally, as a business owner in central Queensland for the past ten years, I have developed a deep connection with the local community and understand the importance of community engagement and support. 
“My altruistic mindset and passion for creating positive change drive my involvement with Integreat Queensland and I am committed to contributing my expertise and skills to their meaningful initiatives.”
In addition to her professional endeavours, Alejandra is an avid enthusiast of Latin dance and founded Gladstone Salsa to promote healthy hobbies and social connections. Her commitment to promoting diversity and cultural exchange has made Gladstone Salsa a hub for people from different countries and cultures to come together and feel at home.
Alejandra said with Integreat Queensland, her main goal is to be an integral part of the team and contribute to its mission.
“I firmly believe in the power of teamwork as I believe together we can achieve remarkable things,” she said.
“I am passionate about supporting the community and making a positive impact in every project I am involved with. Integreat Queensland’s dedication to delivering meaningful outcomes aligns perfectly with my passion for making a difference and planting seeds of positive change and I am excited to work alongside the talented individuals at Integreat Queensland.”
A passion for creating good food and the tastes of the world.
Earlier this year, Integreat Queensland facilitated a micro-food business training course to support the culturally and linguistically diverse community to obtain their Food Safety Supervisor certificate and to gain the knowledge and skills they needed to start their own food business.
Intergreat Queensland Learning for the Future Coordinator Samantha Codrington said the course was designed to assist people in not only creating their own catering or food business but to also comply with all state government licensing and council regulations.
“Last year, Integreat Queensland purchased a food van and started ‘the Moving Feast’ a social enterprise that creates training opportunities and pop-up restaurant experiences for the community,” Samantha said.
“The micro-food business training course is an extension of the Moving Feast initiative where it gives people the skills and knowledge to understand how to run a business and the requirements needed. In the future, many of those students will have their own food vans but for now they have the option of using our Moving Feast,”
Past food business owner and fashionista for all things in creating great food Val Powel, prepared the training for the students and coached and mentored them into believing in their culinary dreams. Val believes everybody loves food and if they can do it right and do it from the heart, it shows on the plate.
“I have a passion for food and love creating food but most of all I love to teach people how to make good food and believe in themselves,” she said.
“We took the students into professional kitchens and taught them how to prepare food correctly and showed them how to set-up a micro-food or catering business correctly.
“For some the reality was difficult to grasp but after some mentoring, many of the students grabbed it with both hands with one of them already preparing a food van for business in Calliope.”
One such student Lien Jeffries said she believes the course gave her enough confidence to open a food stall at the local markets.
“I don’t want to work in a kitchen or open a restaurant,” Lien said. “I would like to bring my passion for Vietnamese and Asian cuisine to local people and the way I would like to achieve that is by selling my food at local markets.
“Integreat Queensland’s micro-food business training course taught me how to not only set up a business but how to measure ingredient costs, prepare food for sale, and even apply for an ABN.
“I arrived in Gladstone from Vietnam in 2019 and I think it is important to have organisations like Integreat Queensland to assist people from other countries to create something for themselves and the community.”
Picture: Lien Treffaies and Val Powell tasting some of our micro-food business training course student’s delightful cuisine.
Welcome Charmain Bennett, our new Acting General Manager.
In May, Integreat Queensland welcomed our new Acting General Manager Charmaine Bennett into the organisation.
Coming from South Africa to Gladstone 8 years ago, Charmaine is no stranger to how difficult it can be to integrate into a new community.
“Coming from a big city to a regional town like Gladstone was a cultural shock not only for its size but also in understanding the culture of Australia or more specifically Queenslanders, and how they operate and work,” Charmaine (pictured) said.
“I come from a diverse and linguistic country where English is spoken every day however, despite being able to communicate with everyone here in Gladstone, things are done differently and myself and my husband had to learn the culture and understand it’s intricacies.”
Having run a business in South Africa and working with a non-for-profit organisation for the past 5 years in Gladstone, Charmaine is no stranger to developing community initiatives and programs.
“I really enjoy working with people and supporting them in building a future for themselves, their family, and the community” she said.
“For me, it’s about fostering economic and community development both on an individual level and within the community as a whole. By enabling people to participate in initiatives and programs focused on community development, I strongly believe it promotes social inclusion and strengthens the bonds within the community.”
Charmaine is excited for the future of Integreat Queensland and plans to build on its current infrastructure and initiatives and work with the team to continue delivering and creating new and exciting programs that assist people to integrate into the community throughout central Queensland.
“Integreat Queensland’s mission is to open opportunities for everyone from everywhere to get involved, feel welcome, learn new things, and contribute to a strong, thriving local community,” she said.
“The Integreat Queensland team has been helping new and existing residents across central Queensland to come together and enrich their lives through programs and events and by making connections in the community.
“We will continue to be committed to our mission of providing assistance to individuals from different countries, backgrounds, and regions of Australia, and empowering them to settle in with confidence. Our aim is to assist in forming friendships, the sharing of skills and culture, and the building of relationships with local residents, that benefits everyone involved.”
Celebrating Little Steps in the Biloela community.
Integreat Queensand has been successful in securing $37,350 from the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland Fund to continue our ‘Little Steps Creating the Next Steps’ project in Biloela.
Integreat Queensland Acting General Manager Charmaine Bennett said the not-for-profit organisation are excited to receive funding from the Queensland Government to continue delivering the project which is essentially delivering the Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup in Biloela.
“Integreat Queensland offers numerous community-based programs to open opportunities for everyone from everywhere to get involved, feel welcome, learn new things, and contribute to a strong, thriving local community,” Charmaine said.
“The Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup are informal sessions where mums, dads, grandparents, carers, children, and babies meet each week in a relaxed environment and where the children can play, and the parents can connect with other families.
“This funding will not only allow us to continue delivering this important and vital service to Biloela but expand the program further for the community to connect and participate in the program.”
Eighteen other Queensland organisations have shared almost $1 million of funding with Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard, saying by funding these great projects, we continue to build on the many things Queenslanders are already doing to help their communities thrive.
Picture: Children and their parents enjoying their time at Integreat Queensland’s Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup in Biloela.
Thank you for your support of our Biggest Morning Tea.
Thank you to everyone who joined Integreat Queensland for the Biggest Morning Tea on the 25th of May to raise much needed funds for Cancer Council Australia.
A BIG shout out to Valarie Powell, and the Micro Business students for preparing the delicious morning tea. Thank you to Esther from Chair Covers & Decorations for the beautiful table settings and the team and volunteers at Integreat Queensland for the huge effort you put in to making the morning such a success.
We would also like to thank our generous raffle prize sponsors:
The Hair Cutters – Sun Valley; Style House Fashion; The Flower and Gift Attic; Slow Lane Cafe; Peony Blossom By MOR; Gladstone Cinemas; Endota Spa; Salt Clothing; Best Friend Cafe; Olive and Fig Hampers.
Picture: Integreat Queensland staff and volunteers at our Biggest Morning Tea in May.
Programs and Events
Rockhampton
Tuning into children’s feelings
Obviously, kids are works in progress. Parts of the brain that specialise in self-regulation are still developing, so we shouldn’t expect a 3-year-old child to handle disappointment in the same way that a 30-year-old does.
Moreover, young children lack life experiences. They are just beginning to learn how emotions work. They aren’t as competent at reading other people’s feelings and intentions. They need opportunities to learn and practice.
And some children have a tougher time than others. Certain personality traits are quite stable over time, and some personality traits put you at greater risk for emotional problems – like moodiness, aggression, anxiety, or depression.
But that doesn’t mean that kids can’t improve. Children, even young children, can learn how to better manage their moods. They just need our help. The trick is to make sure we provide it.
Emotion coaching is the practice of tuning into children’s feelings, and helping kids learn to cope with — and self-regulate — negative emotions like fear, anger, and sadness.
Integreat Queensland’s 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching program is about allowing for open communication, encouraging individuals to identify value and assemble their strengths and capacities when raising a child. Our 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching program is available either in person and online during the day or in the evening and depending on demand, can be held at two locations – north or south Rockhampton.
If you’re interested in our 1-2-3 Magic and Emotion Coaching program, let us know your preferences and we will see what can be offered. Childminding will be available during the daytime, and in person sessions.
To register your interest in attending, please Phone: 4900 1617 or email: stephanie@integreatqld.org.au
A Little Bit of Lovely Glass Workshop
Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your own artwork made of glass? This unique glass art workshop facilitated by Jenny from A Little Bit of Lovely Glass, covers the basics of working with glass where you will learn how to make your own stunning creation from scratch.
In this class, you’ll be guided through the basic step by step process. You’ll learn how to cut Bullseye glass, prepare a design suitable for kiln fusing, construct a glass tile for firing and select a mould.
Spend some time getting in touch with your creative side, have some fun and make something unique you can be proud of at this glass art workshop.
• Limited spaces available up to 10.
• Access to the room requires walking upstairs so there needs to be a level of mobility to get to and from the room.
• Platter and a glass of loveliness included.
• When: Thursday, 22nd June from 5pm-7:30pm.
• Where: 223 Campbell St, Rockhampton.
Find Jenny on her Facebook @alittlebitoflovelyglass and you’ll see how she designs fabulous creations from other glass classes.
To register for this workshop, connect here now.
Forging their first friendships
If you have noticed that your little one is ready to spread their wings a little, then you may want to begin sending your child to Integreat Queensland’s Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup. Of course, every child is different, but if you feel that they are ready for this transition it can have some positive effects on your child.
Playgroup is the perfect opportunity for your child to begin forging their first friendships. They will be surrounded with children of a similar age to themselves and will see the same faces each time they attend. Attending a playgroup can widen your child’s experience of the world. Taking part in different activities, spending time with different children and adults will help their confidence to grow and build a foundation which prepares them for life in the outside world.
Integreat Queensland’s Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup are informal sessions where mums, dads, grandparents, carers, children, and babies meet each week in a relaxed environment. At Playgroup, families are given the opportunity to connect with other families in their local communities, to share knowledge, seek advice and gain invaluable support.
When: Every Tuesday from 9:30am to 11:30am (during school term).
Where: Berserker Street Community Hub, 28 – 140 Berserker Street, North Rockhampton (Entrance – corner of Charles and Berserker St).
Free: Everyone with children from 0 to 5 years old are welcome.
This program is an initiative delivered by Integreat Queensland Inc. in partnership with Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner. Capricorn Communities for Children Facilitating Partner is funded by the Australian Government and facilitated by The Smith Family.
To register and for more info, please contact us by email: contactus@integreatqld.org.au or phone 4900 1617
Women coming together today
It’s nearly impossible to overstate the value of women coming together. We talk a lot about women’s empowerment at Integreat Queensland, but the best stories are usually when—you guessed it—women invest in women. Whether we’re investing time, support, money, or more in one another; when women come together, everyone wins.
A sisterhood is a social, ethical, and emotional pact between women. It’s based on an understanding that together we are stronger than we are as individuals. That empowerment is only possible if we come together and treat each other as sisters, not opponents. It’s a relationship based on our value as a collective, determined to make true change in the world.
Integreat Queensland’s Sisterlife Circle program can help you become the best you can be by supporting each other to grow and develop in all aspects of life. Through personal struggles and feelings of defeat, we believe a Sisterhood can help encourage one another to achieve things that individuals might not have thought possible.
Held fortnightly, SisterLife Circle is a safe and supportive environment for women to meet, share and connect.
• When: Thursday’s from 1pm to 2:30pm every fortnight.
• Where: 223 Campbell St, Rockhampton.
To register your interest in attending, please Phone: 4900 1617 or email: stephanie@integreatqld.org.au
Mastering the English language
For many multicultural people who want to learn English, being able to hold a conversation can be the most challenging part of using their English.
However, being able to have a conversation in English is often the one thing they want to do! Because of this, joining Integreat Queensland’s Let’s Talk Conversational English is vital to not just mastering the language but also becoming confident in using it out in the real world.
So, just what exactly is a Conversational English class? Our classes provide an opportunity for people to practice their English communication skills in a safe and supportive environment and are usually taken by those who want to use and improve their speaking and listening skills. Our Conversational English classes typically involve discussions on topics of interest and may also include activities such as role-playing and group work.
While the primary focus is on developing speaking and listening skills, the classes also provide a valuable opportunity for people to meet other English speakers and learn about different cultures. As a result, our Let’s Talk Conversational English classes can be an enjoyable and enriching experience for everyone.
Time: 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Where: Lakes Creek Community Hub – 445 Paterson St, Lakes Creek.
Cost: Free. Registration required.
*Participants can join anytime during the term.
This program is funded by Multicultural Australia in partnership with Lakes Creek Community Hub and facilitated by Integreat Queensland.
For more info and to register, please contact us on 07 4903 1931 or email contactus@integreatqld.org.au or turn up on the day.
Making sense of the world
Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak and listen in ways that allow us to communicate effectively with different people and to make sense of the world. Good literacy skills lay the foundations to succeed at school, at work and in your daily life. At Integreat Queensland, we believe good literacy skills also improves your employability.
Integreat Queensland’s Adult Literacy Class is a free service to help people with low English levels to improve their English language skills and settle here in central Queensland. Learning English will help you to participate more fully in Australian life. You will learn new skills to help you work and make friends in Australia.
In this class, you will:
– Improve your reading and writing skills
– Improve your confidence in communicating with others
– Improve your ability to connect with the community
When: Thursdays.
Time: 3:30-4:45pm.
Where: Lakes Creek Community Hub – 445 Paterson St, Lakes Creek QLD 4701
Cost: FREE. Childminding available on request for free.
This program is funded by Multicultural Australia in partnership with Lakes Creek Community Hub and facilitated by Integreat Queensland.
For more info and to register, please contact us on 07 4903 1931 or email contactus@integreatqld.org.au or turn up on the day.
Programs and Events
Gladstone
Meet new and old friends at our Picnic in the Park
The park is ours, our picnic destination, its time, let’s create a fun imagination! That’s the way we like to think about our Picnic in the Park. A fantastic afternoon and the perfect opportunity to stay engaged with your family and friends by helping build stronger bonds and foster warmth, security, and love, as well as feelings of belonging.
Held on the first Sunday of every month, our Picnic in the Park get togethers are not only a great way to relax and destress, but a great way to meet friends and make new ones in the Gladstone community. This event is about connecting with others and having fun over some food and drinks in a great atmosphere.
Integreat Queensland’s Picnic in the Park are social safe gatherings with like-minded people so come along to socialise, relax, meet people, create new friendships, and have a good time. Our next Picnic in the Park is on Sunday July 2 from 12pm onwards at Spinnaker Park – (Area C – near the swimming beach area. Please look for Integreat Queensland signs.
This is a free event every month. Integreat Queensland will provide a sausage sizzle and some games. All ages welcome. Please BYO picnic food/, chairs, picnic mat etc.
To RSVP, please text 0412 868 571 or email contactus@integreatqld.org.au
Mastering the English language
For many multicultural people who want to learn English, being able to hold a conversation can be the most challenging part of using their English. However, being able to have a conversation in English is often the one thing they want to do! Because of this, joining Integreat Queensland’s Let’s Talk Conversational English is vital to not just mastering the language but also becoming confident in using it out in the real world.
So, just what exactly is a Conversational English class? Our classes provide an opportunity for people to practice their English communication skills in a safe and supportive environment and are usually taken by those who want to use and improve their speaking and listening skills. Our Conversational English classes typically involve discussions on topics of interest and may also include activities such as role-playing and group work. While the primary focus is on developing speaking and listening skills, the classes also provide a valuable opportunity for people to meet other English speakers and learn about different cultures. As a result, our Let’s Talk Conversational English classes can be an enjoyable and enriching experience for everyone.
When: Thursday, (during school term)
Time: 1pm – 2:30pm
Where: 1A Manning St, South Gladstone.
Cost: Free. Registration required.
*Participants can join anytime during the term.
To register or for more information, please contact us on 4903 1931 or email: contactus@integreatqld.org.au
Why is playgroup important for children
If you have noticed that your little one is ready to spread their wings a little, then you may want to begin sending your child to Integreat Queensland’s Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup. Of course, every child is different, but if you feel that they are ready for this transition it can have some positive effects on your child.
Playgroup is the perfect opportunity for your child to begin forging their first friendships. They will be surrounded with children of a similar age to themselves and will see the same faces each time they attend. Attending a playgroup can widen your child’s experience of the world. Taking part in different activities, spending time with different children and adults will help their confidence to grow and build a foundation which prepares them for life in the outside world.
Integreat Queensland’s Little Steps Multicultural Playgroup are informal sessions where mums, dads, grandparents, carers, children, and babies meet each week in a relaxed environment. At Playgroup, families are given the opportunity to connect with other families in their local communities, to share knowledge, seek advice and gain invaluable support.
When: Every Tuesday & Friday from 9:30am to 11:30am (during school term)
Where: Philip Street Families and Communities Precinct – 1 Pengelly St, Gladstone. (Yellow/Nutchee building)
Free: Everyone with children from 0 to 5 years old are welcome.
To make sure everyone is safe as possible, we will be limiting our numbers to 25 parents (children) so please do register for the day you would like to come.
For more information, please contact us via email: littlesteps@integreatqld.org.au or phone 07 4903 1931.
Women coming together
It’s nearly impossible to overstate the value of women coming together. We talk a lot about women’s empowerment at Integreat Queensland, but the best stories are usually when—you guessed it—women invest in women. Whether we’re investing time, support, money, or more in one another; when women come together, everyone wins.
A sisterhood is a social, ethical, and emotional pact between women. It’s based on an understanding that together we are stronger than we are as individuals. That empowerment is only possible if we come together and treat each other as sisters, not opponents. It’s a relationship based on our value as a collective, determined to make true change in the world.
Integreat Queensland’s Sisterlife Circle program can help you become the best you can be by supporting each other to grow and develop in all aspects of life. Through personal struggles and feelings of defeat, we believe a Sisterhood can help encourage one another to achieve things that individuals might not have thought possible.
Held fortnightly, SisterLife Circle is a safe and supportive environment for women to meet, share and connect.
When: Wednesday’s from 10:30am-12pm (every fortnight).
Where: 1 Manning St, South Gladstone.
If you are interested in joining our Sisterlife Circle, please contact Esther on 4903 1931 or email: contactus@integreatqld.org.au
